The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-03
IDLEN ESS.
UNCLE SAM (ED R. pRITcHARD.

MY DEAR NEPHEW: There are two kinds of idleness-voluntary and en- forced. Either is curse to human kind, but of the two the latter-name is by all odds the worst. When was a youngster it was very rarely that man was forced to be idle, at least for any length of time; in fact, such thing was never heard of. But now it is different. It is certainly bad enough when man, out of inherent laziness or downright cussedness, won't work, but when he is of an in- dustrious turn, wants work, and more than that, needs it to enable him to feed and clothe the loved ones who are dependent upon him, then, say, no greater curse could befal him.
 In my younger days fellow who wanted work, and wasn't too particu- lar what he did, in the way of honest labor, was never idle. 1t was not until l had been man grown that began to find out that there were thousands of fellows all over this country out of employment, and no work to be had of any kind, to enable them to keep soul and body together. Can you inn agihe anything more discouraging than hard day's tramp from place to place, without a penny in your pocket, begging for work enough to procure a meal and a bed, and at nightfall to find that you are the owner of nothing but voracious ap- petite, so imperative and unrelenting in it's demands that you are tempted to rob, steal, or even to commit murder, and all in self-defence? Pretty black picture, isn't it? Yes; but not overdrawn.
 When a man asks for aims out right, then it is right and proper to investigate his case and to see whether he is not deserving object of charity. If he so proves, then those of a phi lanthropic turn not only relieve his present needs, but take steps to give permanent aid, such as helping him to employment whereby he may become self-supporting and remain no longer charge on the community. But when man comes along asking for work it is different. It is at once conceded that a man who wants to work ought to be permitted to do so. He is not asking charity, but em- ployment. But many times it would save him asking for bread or for money to buy nights lodging, if those whom he asks for work would do something to help him to obtain it. Ask him few questions as to what he wants to do, what he can do, what he is willing to do, and then think for a minute, if there is not some place to which he can be directed where he is likely to obtain that for which he is seeking Some men are very easily disheartened, especially when they are looking for work, but still even on such, a little of the milk of human kindness is not wasted. have often thought that Hollands idea of charity was good one. He said "Build churches, school-houses, and workshops, but give no man dollar in charity, except as you give him labor by which he may honestly earn it." Of course this rule does not apply to the sick and helpless, but only to the able bodied applicant for some small change. So my advice, George, is always to help fellow find work he can accept such favor without sacrificing his self-respect. But man who can accept penny in the way of charity, and with no thought of repaying, has taken the first step to become beggar, if he is not, indeed, already a professional mendicant.-Chicago Ledger.